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Welsh Ambulance staff with the Unite union are holding a one-day strike over pay, despite a new Welsh Government pay offer.

Workers represented by the GMB union were also due to strike today, but called their action off after the new pay deal was offered on Friday.

In a statement, the Welsh Government said workers would get a 3% increase backdated to April last year and then 1.5% year-on-year on top of what has previously been agreed.

A spokesperson said: “Whilst there is currently no improved pay offer on the table for NHS staff in England, it was also agreed that any resulting Barnett consequential following any improved offer to staff in England would result in a further pay offer to staff in Wales.”

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) have also suspended their respective strike action this week because of the new offer.

However, on Friday, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It would be wholly premature for Unite to talk about any deals being done in relation to the Welsh Ambulance dispute.”

It has been reported she held last-minute talks with Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan on Sunday.

Almost 1,500 GMB workers across Wales had been due to walk out. However the Welsh Ambulance Service said “significant pressure” was still expected and has drafted in military personnel to drive vehicles.

Nathan Holman, GMB Welsh NHS lead said: “After intense negotiations, GMB has agreed to suspend strike action while further talks take place.

“We recognise that the Welsh Government and Welsh Ambulance have made concessions and, through social partnership, we appreciate the frank and open dialogue with them over the last few months.  

“This has only been made possible because the Welsh Government has been prepared to talk about pay – a lesson for those in charge on the other side of the Severn Bridge.

“We are a member-led union, ultimately they will decide.”

RCM pauses Wales strike action to consult members on new pay offer

Strike action set for Tuesday February 7 by Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members across Wales has been paused following a new pay offer from the Welsh Government. The RCM will also be suspending action short of a strike planned for between February 7 and February 14.

Julie Richards, RCM Director for Wales, said: “It is important that our members now have their say and the decision to accept or reject this offer lies with them. We are pausing this action in good faith so that other issues – such as pressures on staff and working conditions – can also be addressed.

“Make no mistake though, we still have a very strong mandate for industrial action and will not hesitate to take it if our members reject the offer, or if planned talks do not move forward as promised.”

The original offer from the Welsh Government was to give midwives and MSWs the 4% pay increase recommended by the NHS Pay review Body.